“The original sponsor is stepping back in, but due to budget restrictions, we’ll be toning it down to one day. We’re not sure whether it’ll be run on the Saturday or the Sunday yet, but we’ll certainly be choosing a tough route”.

The Chas Messenger was won by Russell Downing last year. The race took its name from the for British road team manager who was in charge the day Beryl Burton and Graham Webb won world titles in 1967. Mr Messenger died last July aged 94.

It’s certainly good news for the sport in Britain but comes after cancellations to affect other races.

Organisers of the Archer Grand Prix had hoped to run the race but a lack of sponsorship meant it was cancelled for the second year in a row.

And down in the west country, the Tour of Wessex Premier Calendar race has been trimmed back from a three-day stage race to a one-day event because of escalating policing costs.

You can read more about the future of cycle racing on the highway in the next edition of Cycling Weekly.